Intro note: As we begin to put dates back on our calendars, remember to put your health care appointments and preventive screenings back in too. ANMC has safely reopened its specialty care clinics for cancer screenings and other health care needs difficult to complete over telehealth video appointments. Call your provider about options available and learn about what we’re doing to keep patients and staff safe during COVID-19. This story shares the importance of early colorectal cancer screening for Alaska ...

Thanks to the generous support of NANA, Akima and the Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation (HANF), the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) Community Health Aide Program secured supplies and equipment to make 1,000 Elder Self Care Kits to distribute to Alaska Native Elders throughout the state. Each kit contains a small vinyl bag and includes a pulse oximeter to assess oxygen saturation and pulse; a thermometer to assess temperature; a small Vital Signs Card; an Individual Monitoring Log; a mask ...

Washing your hands and physical distancing are helping us prevent COVID-19 spread, just like keeping up on immunizations helps prevent many other dangerous illnesses. Immunizations are key to maintaining children’s health. From babies to teenagers, if your child is scheduled for a routine vaccination, don’t wait! Well-child visits and routine immunizations are important, especially now. Children keep growing and it’s important that they stay on track with checkups and vaccinations. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals and clinics have taken ...

ANTHC recognizes that people who are experiencing violence in their families and relationships may also be experiencing increased isolation and danger during the COVID-19 health mandates, which require all Alaskans, except critical and essential workers, to remain in their place of residence as much as possible and practice social distancing. Survivors often have specific needs around safety, health, and confidentiality, which are becoming harder to access due to the need for social distancing. However, it is important for all victims ...

It has been almost one month since the Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation made the hard and right decision to cancel their 2020 Raven’s Ball fundraising event. The annual gala raises awareness and funding for health initiatives that further the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium’s vision that Alaska Native people are the healthiest people in the world. Funds generated by the Raven’s Ball provide support across the Alaska Tribal Health System for healthy patients, healthy kids and healthy communities. During this ...

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a disease that affects the respiratory system, which primarily includes your lungs and your ability to breathe. Smokers and people using vape pens or e-cigarettes may have less efficient lungs and may be hit harder by breathing issues resulting from the virus. ANTHC and the State of Alaska have resources available for quitting smoking, vaping and other tobacco product use. Contact the Alaska Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to learn more about free services ...

During the COVID-19 quarantine, people are spending even more time in their homes than usual. Make sure your home stays healthy as well! The most important tips to stay healthy from COVID-19 and other illnesses are to practice routine hand-washing and household cleaning. It is also important to keep the air inside your home healthy while using cleaning products, especially for those with respiratory conditions that affect lungs or breathing such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Many cleaning ...

In mid-March, Jasmin Akeya escorted her daughter to ANMC for ear surgery. She returned home to Savoonga, where she knew she wasn’t going to be home for very long as she was expecting her third daughter in early April. At the advisement of her medical provider, they made arrangements for her to return to Anchorage to await the arrival of her newest baby. Jasmin traveled back to Anchorage, alone this time, and arrived to Patient Housing late into the evening ...

Spending time in isolation and missing regular support groups and other recovery services can be difficult. Self-isolation can lead to boredom, which can be a trigger for addictive behaviors. The ANTHC Substance Misuse Prevention Program is committed to providing support resources during this time while continuing to celebrate your recovery path through Sobriety Awareness Month. If you are feeling lonely and overwhelmed by COVID-19 news, here are a few suggestions on how to remain connected to friends, family and recovery ...